ALAMEDA, Calif., Dec. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Xenogen Corporation (Nasdaq: XGEN - News) announced today an extension of its licensing agreement with Novartis (NYSE: NVS - News) for up to two more years.
Novartis will continue to license Xenogen's proprietary software (Living Image® Software) and patented methods of biophotonic imaging for use with Xenogen's biophotonic imaging systems (IVIS® Imaging Systems). The technology will be used for research in several therapeutic areas at Novartis research sites in the United States, Japan and Switzerland. This is an extension of the original agreement between the two companies that was signed in 2000.

Xenogen's technologies are designed to enable researchers to visualize and track biological processes in living animals, non-invasively and in real time. The technology helps researchers analyze gene function and follow the spread of disease or effects of a drug candidate throughout the system. The result is more accurate, predictable data that can improve the success rate of pre-clinical drug development, saving both time and money.

"We are delighted that Novartis has extended its license agreement to use Xenogen's technology for drug discovery and development," said Pamela R. Contag, Ph.D., president of Xenogen Corporation. "We believe the extension of our license agreement with one of the world's leading pharmaceutical companies validates Xenogen's biophotonic imaging technology in expediting drug discovery and development."

About Xenogen Corporation

Xenogen Corporation is a leading biotechnology company offering an integrated suite of biophotonic real-time in vivo imaging and genetic modification technologies that can help expedite drug discovery and development, and significantly reduce the cost and time to market for new therapies. Xenogen's VivoVision(TM) Systems non-invasively illuminate and monitor biological processes within living mammals, at the molecular level, in real time. The technology is designed to provide higher quality in vivo data earlier in the drug discovery and development process. VivoVision(TM) Solutions are designed to improve discovery and pre-clinical research in multiple therapeutic areas. VivoVision(TM) Biosciences represents more than 15 years of experience in the creation and characterization of animal models, including genetic modifications, comprehensive phenotyping, compound profiling and custom design and production of light producing cells, microorganisms and animals.

More information is available at www.xenogen.com. Xenogen®, Living Image®, VivoVision(TM) and IVIS® are trademarks of Xenogen Corporation.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the performance and intended uses of our imaging products and technologies. These forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, estimates and assumptions and are subject to many risks, uncertainties and unknown future events that could cause actual results to differ materially. Actual performance and results of imaging products and technologies may differ materially from those set forth in this release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, including, without limitation: our ability to continue to deliver our products on a timely basis to meet customer demand; our ability to enforce our intellectual property rights or operate without infringing or misappropriating the proprietary rights of others; products, services or technologies introduced by competing companies; and other risk factors set forth in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For a discussion of these and other factors that could impact the adoption, performance or use of our imaging products and technologies and cause them to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements, please refer to our recent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recent quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005. We assume no obligation to update any forward-looking statements or information, which speak as of their respective dates.